Shanghai Jin Jiang Tomson InterContinental Hotel, located on Zhangyang Road in Pudong, recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. The event, themed "Lighting Up Thirty Years, Embarking on a New Journey," invited the public to reflect on the transformative era of Pudong's development and opening-up in the 1990s, revisiting the growth trajectory of this established five-star hotel as it evolved alongside the city.

Originally known as Xinya Tomson Hotel, the hotel officially opened its doors on June 28, 1996, making it one of the earliest high-end international hotels in Pudong at that time. Li Zhenxiong, a veteran employee who served as the hotel's fleet supervisor, vividly remembers: "On opening day, for the first time, I saw so many cars on Zhangyang Road that there was a traffic jam." That year, Tomson Financial Center, Xinya Tomson Hotel, and First Yaohan stood together as the three tallest buildings in Pudong.

During the early stages of Pudong's development, the capacity for high-end business hospitality was a key benchmark of the city's internationalization. The hotel's opening filled a crucial gap in the region. In 1999, it became Pudong's first five-star hotel, and in 2000, it was named the first luxury InterContinental brand hotel in the Greater China region for the InterContinental Hotels Group. Since then, it has served as a vital space for numerous international business exchanges and high-level foreign receptions in Pudong.

Over the past three decades, the hotel has deeply participated in and witnessed a series of major moments in Shanghai, including the Fortune Global Forum, the APEC Conference, the Mayor's International Business Leaders Advisory Council, the Shanghai World Expo, and the Longines Global Champions Tour.

At the 30th anniversary celebration, what proved more enduring than the architecture itself was the emotional bond between people and the city. Zhu Yiyong, the chief concierge who has worked at the hotel for 20 years, recalled meeting a British couple in the lobby years ago. During a casual conversation, he learned they adored a racehorse named "Black Sky." He remembered this detail. When the couple returned from a Huangpu River cruise, the horse had just won a championship. Zhu Yiyong prepared a specially crafted cultural gift symbolizing perseverance, presenting it to them as a gesture of Chinese hospitality. "From then on, every time they come to Shanghai, they stay here, like family," he said.

Throughout these thirty years, the hotel has also hosted countless significant life milestones and unforgettable memories for the city's residents. On November 11, 2000, citizens Fang Zhijun and his wife chose the hotel for their wedding banquet. "We selected the date with four 'ones' to represent 'one heart, one mind,'" Fang said. Twenty-six years later, the couple returned to the site. The hotel's appearance remained unchanged, and their relationship was as strong as ever. They joked, "We wanted it to last a long time, and it has lasted until now. It's not easy."

Over the years, the hotel has continuously reinvented itself. Recently, it has completed micro-renovations to its facade, lobby, guest rooms, Chinese restaurant, and lounge to meet the needs of modern high-end travelers. At the anniversary celebration, a custom art installation titled "Tree of Renewal" by architect and artist Wan Lisa was unveiled. Using the imagery of a tree and returning swallows, it symbolizes deep roots and continuous innovation, paying tribute to the guests, partners, and employees who have journeyed alongside the hotel. On the same day, the newly renovated Qi Lounge launched a 30th-anniversary limited-edition afternoon tea, the Oriental Dining Room recreated classic nostalgic menus, and special guest room benefits were also introduced.